Hospital work conditions, clinician burnout, and staff turnover costs
Official title: The Financial Impact of Burnout and Mental Health on Hospitalist Turnover and the Contribution of Work Structures and Environment
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11180042 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how hospital work conditions and job stress affect hospital-based doctors' and advanced practice providers' mental health, burnout, and the costs when they leave.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $156,035 |
| NIH project number | 5R21OH012548-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11180042 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are hospitalists—physicians and advanced practice providers who primarily care for hospitalized patients—working at U.S. hospitals.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who receive only outpatient care or are not cared for by hospital-based clinicians may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
From a patient's view, researchers will collect information directly from hospital doctors and advanced practice providers about workloads, stress, and mental health. They will combine surveys and interviews with hospital staffing and financial records to estimate how burnout leads to staff leaving and what that costs hospitals. The team will examine how scheduling, staffing models, and the work environment contribute to stress. The aim is to identify changes hospitals can make to keep experienced staff and protect patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help hospitals reduce staff turnover and improve patient safety and continuity of care by identifying better work structures.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown high burnout and links to turnover among physicians (mainly in outpatient settings), but focused evidence on hospitalists' mental health and the exact hospital costs is limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burden, Marisha — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Burden, Marisha
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
An integrated mobile health program to reduce SAVA and mental health problems among female sex workers in Kenya
A new mobile health program aims to help female sex workers in Kenya avoid substance abuse, violence, HIV, and depression by delivering group therapy, online resources, and a peer discussion space.
-
Adolescent girls in Uganda: a long-term look at how money empowerment and family support affect HIV prevention, care, and mental health
A long-term study in rural Uganda will test whether an intervention that combines economic empowerment and family strengthening can help HIV-negative and HIV-affected adolescent girls move safely into young adulthood.
-
Long-term HIV prevention and mental health support for adolescent girls and young women in Uganda
A long-term program in rural Uganda tests if combining economic support and family strengthening helps teenage girls stay HIV-free and improve mental health as they grow into young adults.
-
Johns Hopkins Total Worker Health Center focusing on mental health
A nationwide center at Johns Hopkins is working to improve mental health and well-being among workers by studying workplace health strategies and translating findings into practical tools.
-
Maternal mental health help to protect kids’ breathing health
A mother-focused mental health program is tested to see if improving moms’ mood can also support better breathing and fewer asthma symptoms in children.
-
SNEngage: How Social Networks and Supports Shape Mental Health Care for Black and Latino Individuals with Serious Mental Illness
A long-term study following Black and Latino individuals with serious mental illness to learn how their social networks affect engagement with mental health services and overall well-being.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.